High Speed Rail Alliance
High Speed Rail Alliance is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that advocates for U.S. high-speed rail through grassroots member donations, petitions, policy campaigns, and educational programming across multiple state corridors.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1993
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What High Speed Rail Alliance does
High Speed Rail Alliance is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 1993 that campaigns for the development of high-speed passenger rail in the United States. It mobilizes a grassroots membership of thousands of donors and volunteers through recurring monthly contributions at $5, $15, and $25 tiers, supplemented by merchandise sales, to fund federal and state-level lobbying, petition drives, and public education. The organization runs a FastAction petition platform, a weekly newsletter, and a recently launched 7-week educational course on HSR advocacy, and it actively campaigns across multiple corridors including California, Illinois, Indiana, Brightline West (Nevada–Southern California), and the Cascadia region (Portland–Seattle–Vancouver).
Its operational footprint is small (1–10 employees) and centered in Chicago, with programmatic reach extending nationwide through digital channels and partnerships. The Alliance's strategic posture is coalition-building: it engages private-sector partners such as Microsoft (on Cascadia corridor studies) and Fortress Investment Group (on Brightline West), coordinates with multiple state departments of transportation, and leads advocacy for federal legislation including the American High-Speed Rail Act of 2026. It does not develop technology products, operate rail service, or hold infrastructure assets; its function is influence, public engagement, and policy acceleration on behalf of U.S. high-speed rail.
High Speed Rail Alliance firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- High Speed Rail Alliance
- Legal name
- High Speed Rail Alliance
- Website
- https://hsrail.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1993
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- High Speed Rail Alliance is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that advocates for U.S. high-speed rail through grassroots member donations, petitions, policy campaigns, and educational programming across multiple state corridors.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where High Speed Rail Alliance is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
High Speed Rail Alliance business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Member Donations and Contributions: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit powered by member donations. They collect one-time and monthly recurring contributions at various tiers ($5/mo, $15/mo, $25/mo, or custom amounts). Employer matching is available.
- Merchandise Sales: Operates an online merch store (hsrail.myshopify.com) selling apparel including t-shirts, jackets, hats, mugs, tumblers, totes, and backpacks. Proceeds support advocacy efforts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly membership contributions at $5 per month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly membership contributions at $15 per month |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly membership contributions at $25 per month |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | One-time or custom amount donations |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
High Speed Rail Alliance product offering
Product offeringCore offering
High Speed Rail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that mobilizes citizens and influencers to advance high-speed rail policy and infrastructure in the United States. Its core offerings consist of educational content (blog, 7-week course, regional resource hub), advocacy tools (petition campaigns, the FastAction engagement platform), community events and webinars, and a merchandise storefront, all sustained by member donations.
Product overview
The High Speed Rail Alliance is a grassroots nonprofit advocacy organization (501(c)(3)), not a technology product company. Its offerings consist of advocacy programs, educational resources, and community engagement tools rather than software products or platforms. The portfolio includes a blog and news resources covering HSR policy and projects; a weekly email newsletter; a free 7-week educational email course on high-speed rail; High Speed Rail 101 educational content; a regional information hub organized by U.S. geography; webinars and events featuring transportation experts; an online petition platform for contacting legislators; the FastAction advocacy engagement tool; and a merchandise store supporting the organization's mission.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Membership Program Voluntary membership program where individuals contribute recurring or one-time donations to fund the organization's high-speed rail advocacy, education, and community organizing activities. Open to the general public with employer matching available.
- Merchandise Store
Quantifiable outcome
- Trains connect 525 stations in 36 states from Chicago alone
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use High Speed Rail Alliance
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
High Speed Rail Alliance technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
High Speed Rail Alliance partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- MicrosoftcoreMicrosoft is a key supporter and funder of high-speed rail studies and reports, particularly for the Pacific Northwest Cascadia ultra-high-speed rail project connecting Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver. The company worked with Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia on planning and case studies.
- Fortress Investment GroupcoreFortress Investment Group, parent company of Brightline Florida, acquired and rebranded the XpressWest/Brightline West project to connect Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Has invested $550 million of its own funds in preparing the project for construction.
- Various State Transportation DepartmentscorePartnerships with state DOTs including Washington State DOT (Cascadia HSR), California High Speed Rail Authority, Illinois DOT, and others to advance regional rail planning and implementation.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
High Speed Rail Alliance competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Amtrak: The government-owned U.S. passenger rail operator that HSRA's advocacy frequently supports and references. Thematically related as the existing national rail operator whose expansion HSRA campaigns around, but not a direct advocacy peer.
- Brightline: A private high-speed passenger rail operator (Florida and West Coast services). Adjacent to HSRA's mission as a beneficiary of HSRA's advocacy, but a commercial operator rather than an advocacy nonprofit.
- California High-Speed Rail Authority: The state agency responsible for planning and building California's HSR system—a flagship project HSRA actively promotes. Thematically related as the institutional executor of HSRA's advocacy goals, but not a peer advocacy organization.
Direct peers
- Transportation Alternatives: New York-based advocacy organization promoting walking, bicycling, and public transit as alternatives to car dependency. Comparable as a transportation advocacy nonprofit that mobilizes grassroots support and engages policymakers.
- Transportation for America: A coalition-based advocacy organization that promotes modern, multimodal transportation policy at the federal, state, and local levels. Comparable to HSRA in mission structure, advocacy tactics, and policy-focused donor base.
- Smart Growth America: Advocacy organization promoting walkable, mixed-use development and better transportation choices. Shares HSRA's advocacy nonprofit structure and similar coalition-building approach to transportation policy reform.
- Rail Passengers Association: The leading U.S. rail passenger advocacy nonprofit (formerly NARP), representing riders and advocating for expanded and improved passenger rail service. Directly comparable to HSRA as a member-supported advocacy organization focused on passenger rail policy and funding.
- League of American Bicyclists: A national advocacy nonprofit promoting bicycling through policy reform, education, and community organizing. Comparable as a transportation-focused advocacy nonprofit with a member-supported structure and similar grassroots tactics.
Broad incumbents
- National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO): An established coalition of city transportation departments shaping urban street design and transit policy. Comparable as a broader transportation advocacy institution that informs the same policymaker audiences HSRA targets.
Emerging players
- America Walks: A smaller national advocacy nonprofit promoting walkable communities. Comparable as a single-issue transportation advocacy nonprofit using grassroots organizing, though focused on walking rather than rail.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
High Speed Rail Alliance social profiles
Digital presenceHigh Speed Rail Alliance financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
High Speed Rail Alliance leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
High Speed Rail Alliance funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
High Speed Rail Alliance M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about High Speed Rail Alliance
What does High Speed Rail Alliance do?
High Speed Rail Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit advocacy organization that mobilizes citizens and influencers to advance high-speed rail policy and infrastructure in the United States. Its core offerings consist of educational content (blog, 7-week course, regional resource hub), advocacy tools (petition campaigns, the FastAction engagement platform), community events and webinars, and a merchandise storefront, all sustained by member donations.
Is High Speed Rail Alliance a public or private company?
High Speed Rail Alliance is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was High Speed Rail Alliance founded?
High Speed Rail Alliance was founded in 1993. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is High Speed Rail Alliance based?
High Speed Rail Alliance is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does High Speed Rail Alliance make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Member Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.
Who are High Speed Rail Alliance's main competitors?
Others on record are Amtrak, Brightline and California High-Speed Rail Authority. Direct peers are Transportation Alternatives, Transportation for America, Smart Growth America, Rail Passengers Association and League of American Bicyclists. National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) is listed as a broad incumbent. America Walks is listed as an emerging player.
Does High Speed Rail Alliance have an API?
No public API is recorded for High Speed Rail Alliance.